"I can't say; it's impossible to tell. I really have
no idea. But," said Fips, taking off a very deep impression of the wafer-stamp upon the
calf of his left leg, and looking steadily at Tom, "I don't know that it's a matter of
much consequence." (1872). Forty-fourth illustration by Fred Barnard for Dickens's
Martin Chuzzlewit (Chapter XXXIX), page 305. [In this chapter,
"Containing Some Further Particulars of the Domestic Economy of the Pinches; with Strange
News from The City, Narrowly Concerning Tom," attorney Fips of Austin Friars (acting on
behalf of an anonymous benefactor — in fact, Martin Chuzzlewit, Senior) delivers
the offer a "dream job" to Tom: a generous weekly salary with modest hours for
reorganizing a private library, presently in utter chaos.] 10.6 x 13.8 cm. Scanned image
and text by Philip V. Allingham. [You may use
this image without prior permission for any scholarly or educational purpose as long as
you (1) credit the person who scanned the image and (2) link your document to this
URL.]

Passage Realised

"I think it a piece of great good fortune, sir," said Tom. "I am
exceedingly obliged to you for the offer."

"Not to me," said Mr. Fips. "I act upon instructions."

"To your friend, sir, then," said Tom. "To the gentleman with whom I am to
engage, and whose confidence I shall endeavour to deserve. When he knows me better, sir,
I hope he will not lose his good opinion of me. He will find me punctual and vigilant,
and anxious to do what is right. That I think I can answer for, and so,’ looking towards
him, "can Mr Westlock."

"Most assuredly," said John.

Mr. Fips appeared to have some little difficulty in resuming the
conversation. To relieve himself, he took up the wafer–stamp, and began stamping capital
F's all over his legs.

"The fact is," said Mr. Fips, "that my friend is not, at this present
moment, in town."

Tom's countenance fell; for he thought this equivalent to telling him that
his appearance did not answer; and that Fips must look out for somebody else.

"When do you think he will be in town, sir?" he asked.

"I can't say; it's impossible to tell. I really have no idea. But," said
Fips, taking off a very deep impression of the wafer–stamp upon the calf of his left leg,
and looking steadily at Tom, "I don’t know that it's a matter of much consequence."

Poor Tom inclined his head deferentially, but appeared to doubt that.

"I say," repeated Mr. Fips, "that I don’t know it's a matter of much
consequence. The business lies entirely between yourself and me, Mr Pinch. With reference
to your duties, I can set you going; and with reference to your salary, I can pay it.
Weekly," said Mr. Fips, putting down the wafer–stamp, and looking at John Westlock and
Tom Pinch by turns, "weekly; in this office; at any time between the hours of four and
five o'clock in the afternoon." As Mr. Fips said this, he made up his face as if he were
going to whistle. But he didn't.

"You are very good," said Tom, whose countenance was now suffused with
pleasure; "and nothing can be more satisfactory or straightforward. My attendance will be
required —"

"From half–past nine to four o’clock or so, I should say," interrupted Mr.
Fips. "About that."

"I did not mean the hours of attendance," retorted Tom, "which are light
and easy, I am sure; but the place."

"Oh, the place! The place is in the Temple."

Tom was delighted. — Chapter 39, "Containing Some Further Particulars
of the Domestic Economy of the Pinches; with Strange News from The City, Narrowly
Concerning Tom," p. 309-310.

Dickens, Charles. The Life and Adventures of Martin
Chuzzlewit. Illustrated by Sol Eytinge, Junior. The Diamond Edition. Boston:
Ticknor and Fields, 1867.

Dickens, Charles. The Life and Adventures of Martin
Chuzzlewit, with 59 illustrations by Fred Barnard. Household Edition. 22 vols.
London: Chapman and Hall, 1872. The copy of the Household Edition from which this picture
was scanned was the gift of George Gorniak, Proprietor of The Dickens
Magazine, whose subject for the fifth series, beginning in January 2008, was this
novel.